Musings with Montse features meaningful conversations with all kinds of artists. Musicians, poets, photographers, and other creatives share their honest stories, touching on the duality of being creative - the pure joy of making art - but also the particular struggles that come with it. In speaking about vulnerability, many of these artists remind us that even though people can look like they have it all together on the surface, we all struggle.

In each episode, Montse's guests share the contents of their personal toolkit - what helps them get through the hard times. They also share their "favorites" list - what they are reading, listening to, places that light them up, and the creativity of other artists that moves them.

Heather Maloney is a singer-songwriter based in Northampton, MA. She sings the theme song for this podcast! She is also my best friend. So, you'll have get through a bit of of us giggling and gushing, but it's worth it to hear her beautiful story - I promise!

In this episode, Heather shares how going through a bout of depression led her to spending three years at a silent meditation retreat center and how meditation changed her life. I love the simple but profound mantra that came to her during that time “If your heart is aching, let it ache.” We also talk about the power of female friendship and being mirrors to each other, long-distance friendships, being highly sensitive which she so perfectly describes as an “overload of information”, and about being independent in romantic relationships. Oh, and as I knew we would, we talk about our deep love for Joni Mitchell, and a whole lot more.

Heather also shares her favorite book, album, podcast and more!

This is a particularly special episode to me. I hope it feels like something special to you, too!